172 Lariscus obscurussize: Female—HB 202.0 mm (n = 20); T 86.4 mm (n = 17).
Male—HB 201.7 mm (n = 18); T 88.1 mm (n = 17).
Sex not stated—HB 187.0 mm (n = 19); T 86.0 mm (n = 17);
Mass 242.7 g (n = 7).
distribution: This species is found in the Mentawai Is-
lands, west of Sumatra: on Siberut, Sipora, and North and
South Pagai islands (Indonesia).
geographic variation: Three subspecies are recognized.
Records for Sipora Island are identifi ed only at the species
level.
L. o. obscurus—South Pagai Island (Indonesia). See descrip-
tion above.
L. o. auroreus—North Pagai Island (Indonesia). This form has
a more reddish and less yellowish dorsal pelage.
L. o. siberu—Siberut Island (Indonesia). The ventral pelage
is fi nely grizzled black and light ochraceous, and the
muzzle and cheeks are slightly grayer. The tail is slightly
blacker than the dorsal pelage.conservation: IUCN status—near threatened. Population
trend—decreasing.habitat: This species probably prefers scrublands, but it
tolerates human disturbance well, surviving in secondary
forests and forest edges.natural history: The Mentawai three-striped squirrel is
terrestrial, diurnal, and most active in the morning and
midafternoon, judging by its vocalizations. Its diet consists
primarily of fallen fruits. According to J. Whitten, the stom-
ach contents of three individuals contained “79 percent”
vegetable matter (mostly fruits and seeds) and “22 percent”
animal matter (mostly arthropods). These squirrels nest in
burrows and fallen trees.general references: Whitten 1981.Menetes Thomas, 1908
This genus contains a single species, a ground squirrel of
Indonesia, that is closely related to Lariscus.
Menetes berdmorei (Blyth, 1849)
Indochinese Ground Squirrel
description: The dorsal coloration varies slightly from
tawny agouti to brownish agouti, but there are always two
whitish lateral lines on each side and a variable number of
dark or black lines, ranging from none (in some dry forests)
to three lateral lines and a mid-dorsal line (in the wettest
forests). The venter is whitish or yellowish.
size: Female—HB 182.7 mm; T 132.9 mm; Mass 172.0 g.
Male—HB 181.6 mm; T 138.2 mm; Mass 176.0 g.
Sex not stated—HB 180.9 mm; T 140.0 mm; Mass 190.0 g.
distribution: This species occurs in central Myanmar and
southern Yunnan (China) south to Thailand, Laos, Cambo-
dia, and southern Vietnam.
geographic variation: Seven subspecies are recognized.
Records from northwestern Laos are identifi ed only at the
species level.
M. b. berdmorei—east of the Salween River (Myanmar) and
south into peninsular Myanmar and Thailand. This
form has lateral black stripes, but the mid-dorsal stripe is
generally absent.